Author: jaygresh

A Reflection from the 22nd Annual Ancient Faith Afro-American Conference: Go Into The Deep

October 20, 2015

The 22nd Annual Ancient Faith Afro-American (St. Moses the Black) Conference has come and gone.  I thank God for my good friend and mother in the faith, Sarah, for saving me from making the trip by Greyhound as I did two years ago.  We had blessed conversations on the road and gained a greater understanding … More A Reflection from the 22nd Annual Ancient Faith Afro-American Conference: Go Into The Deep

St. Moses: The Immediate Purpose of the Christian

August 28, 2015

The goal of our profession is the kingdom of God.  Its immediate purpose, however, is purity of heart, for without this we cannot reach our goal.  We should therefore always have this purpose in mind … St. Moses from St. John Cassian’s On the Holy Fathers of Sketis (Philokalia vol. I) For anyone that thinks … More St. Moses: The Immediate Purpose of the Christian

Some Sunday Morning

June 16, 2015

 “As a minister of the gospel, I am ashamed to say that eleven o’clock on Sunday morning … is the most segregated hour in America, and Sunday school is the most segregated school of the week.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We are killing ourselves I had a few people talk behind my back when … More Some Sunday Morning

Building The Bridge: Martin Luther King Day Speaking Engagement

January 7, 2015

I have wanted to speak on the subject for a couple of years now.  Thanks to Father Adam Sexton, I have been given the opportunity to explain how there is material for African-Americans and the Orthodox Church to reach out to one another.  I intend to post video of the presentation.  If not, I will … More Building The Bridge: Martin Luther King Day Speaking Engagement

The Constantine Myth of Black Icon Destruction

November 15, 2014

I have heard this story come from a couple of Afro-centric scholars.  In a push to explain how the black African Jesus became the blonde haired, blue eyed, pale skinned tool for white supremacy, it is a belief in some circles that the Roman Emperor Constantine made Christianity the official religion at the Council of … More The Constantine Myth of Black Icon Destruction

Of Carver and Rose

November 14, 2014

I suppose putting these two men together in an image is a bit of a curiosity.  One was born a slave and became one of the world’s most famous scientist.  The other was an academic with a promising future that he left behind and became one of Orthodoxy’s most heralded modern monks.  As different as … More Of Carver and Rose

21st Ancient Christianity Afro-American Conference: Lectures and Photos

October 6, 2014

Glory to God!  Not only was someone gracious enough to photograph scenes from this year’s conference.  The lectures are on Ancient Faith Radio as well!  Thanks to those who contributed the work on the Brotherhood of St. Moses the Black Facebook Page and to all the good work on AFR!  Oh, and blessings to St Stephen … More 21st Ancient Christianity Afro-American Conference: Lectures and Photos

Alternative Christianity:  Orthodoxy and the Mainstream Church

September 30, 2014

Every mainstream should have an antithesis.  This is not to be combative or dismissive to the denomination that left.  Had it not been for the African-American Baptist Church, I probably would have never been born, much less born again.  I think the black church of the various denominations and non-denominations are able to lead souls … More Alternative Christianity:  Orthodoxy and the Mainstream Church